Hundreds of Latinos who followed every legal step to seek asylum in the United States are being quietly and cruelly deported—many straight into El Salvador’s infamous mega prison, originally built for the region’s most violent gangs. These are not criminals. These are everyday people who trusted the American legal system, passed credible fear interviews, and hoped for a safer life—only to be thrown into the very violence they fled.
Take the case of Andry Hernandez Romero, a gay Venezuelan stylist. He fled persecution and followed every law. Yet ICE targeted him for deportation based on a crown tattoo above the names of his deceased parents—falsely linking it to gang imagery. Another Latino was deported just for wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey, now considered suspicious attire by some ICE agents.
Yes—Latinos are being targeted for wearing Chicago attire, like Bulls hats and jerseys. We’re being criminalized for our culture, for memorial tattoos, even for honoring our families. ICE and CBP have gone as far as labeling Latinos as “deceased” in their system—a blatant lie to sidestep court orders and legal protections—just to deport them faster.
Let’s be clear: we all want safe neighborhoods. None of us want gangs chopping heads, kidnapping people, or terrorizing streets. But this isn’t about that. These Latinos already went through the rigorous legal process. They were screened, questioned, and cleared. So why are we turning our backs on them?
The people making these decisions—immigration judges, border patrol agents, asylum officers—are human beings like you and me. Most don’t want to allow just anyone in, and that’s fair. But who’s deciding what counts as a threat? Are they telling us the truth? Because if a tattoo for your mom or a Chicago Bulls cap can brand you as a gang member, how far are we really from criminalizing being Latino altogether?
These immigration courts and agencies desperately need more funding, better staffing, and clearer policies—not racial profiling and fear-based shortcuts.
We cannot demonize Latinos who entered legally, followed the rules, and asked for help. They are kind, hardworking people who want to live in peace and support their families—just like you and me.
So Let’s Be Honest:
If following the rules, honoring your family, and wearing a Bulls hat can still get you deported—
what does “legal” even mean anymore?
